Page 87 of Stick It
“Pull your head out of your ass, Finn.” Griffin sounds like he’s seconds from pulling it out for him. “If you weren’t so busy moon-eyeing your buddy, you’d see the shit he’s pulling.”
“I do notmoon-eyeKyle, you fucker. He’s myfriend.Iknowhim, and I know he wouldn’t go that far.”
“Then you clearly don’t?—”
The front door swings open.
I freeze, gaze snapping forward.
From where I stand, I have a direct line of sight to the entryway. Kyle steps inside, shaking rain from his hair as he shrugs out of his coat. He turns, his gaze lifting…and landing on me.
The moment our eyes lock, my blood runs cold.
Something dark flashes across his face and his mouth lifts in a cruel tilt, before his eyes drag over me, cataloging the damage. His gaze lingers on every cut, every bruise, like he’sproudof what he did.
My breath catches in my throat. I don’t need to hear the words from his mouth to confirm what I already knew.Hedid this to me. I can’tmove. Can’t speak. Fear lashes through me, fast and sharp. It’s a battle to keep my reaction off my face, but I refuse to let him see what his sheer presence does to me.
Kyle Reed won’t take anything else from me.
He steps forward, and I fight the urge to flee, but then he notices the guys in the living room. The shift is instant. His whole demeanor changes, shoulder’s loosening, expression smoothing into something easy and unbothered. He barely even hesitates before flashing a smile.
“What’s up?”
Ethan pushes off the couch, stepping toward him. “Where have you been?” There’s an accusation there. “No one has seen you since last night.”
Kyle snorts. “What is this, the Spanish Inquisition?”
Griffin leans forward, eyes fixed on Kyle. When he speaks, his voice is calm—toocalm. “Dylan was attacked outside the arena last night.”
Kyle tilts his head, expression carefully fixed into one of surprise. “Is that so?”
“You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?” Griffin’s tone is still neutral, but there’s an edge to it now, sharp enough to cut.
“Me?” Kyle scoffs. “Why would I know anything aboutthat?” He shrugs. “I was at The Stanley with a few of the guys last night.” A cocky smirk lifts his lips. “Hooked up with some chick. I’d say you could ask her if you want an alibi, but I didn’t exactly catch her name.”
Ewww. I just vomited in my mouth.
“Which guys?” Ethan pushes.
This time, Kyle’s surprise is genuine. “Seriously, man?” His gaze moves over all four of the guys. “You all think I had something to do with that bench bunny getting attacked?”
“Watch it,” Griffin growls, rising to his feet and prowling closer.
“Finn?” Kyle presses, ignoring Griffin entirely. “You can’t seriously be buying this bullshit?”
I hold my breath as Finn sighs, dragging a hand down his face as though trying to give himself a few minutes to think before he answers. “Just answer the question, Reed. Who were you with last night?”
“This is fucking bullshit,” Kyle sneers, shaking his head. “Not that it’s any of your fucking business, but I was with Andrew, Sam, and Travis.”
“Were Fletcher or Monroe there?” Griffin asks—well, demands would be more accurate.
Kyle throws his hands into the air in protest. “Yeah, I think I remember seeing them at one point. Not like I was following them around all night. Now, are we fucking done here? I need to shower and grab a nap before practice.”
“Yeah.” Ethan exhales, gesturing for Kyle to leave.
With a final glower and a look of disappointment cast Finn’s way, he moves toward the stairs. I hurry to descend the last few steps, wanting to get out of his way. However, before I’m in the clear, he’s there. His arm grazes mine as he brushes past, his fingers just barely ghosting over my side.
Those cold eyes and cruel lips bore into me.
